The 2016 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Photo Recap

Less than a week ago, the 2016 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon was underway. This annual weekend of events features a 50-yard Toddler Trot, 1/2 and 1 mile walk/run, 5k, 10k, and 10 mile in addition to the 26.2 glorious miles of the marathon. It is one of the most comprehensive age and distance appropriate events of the year.

Featured Event

Below are images taken by some of our readers that capture different aspects of this amazing event. Enjoy!

In The Beginning

The Starting line of any race is a spectacular mix of nervous and excited energy. Some retreat into their own heads, while others broadcast every thought and feeling that runs through their minds.

The TC 10 Mile begins at 7 a.m. on race day.

The wheelers are the first group to start in the marathon division.

Many runners ditch sweats at the starting line. It all gets donated at the end of the event.

On the Course

The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon course is relatively flat, with rolling hills at the beginning, and a more than rolling hill around mile 20, and well, almost all the way to the finish. It’s called the “Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America” for a reason: it takes runners through downtown Minneapolis, around the chain of lakes, up beautiful tree-lined Minnehaha Pkwy, around yet another lake (Nokomis), along the Mississippi River, across the Mississippi River, then up the historic Summit Avenue, and all the way to the Minnesota State Capitol. It’s gorgeous!

Zachary HINE crests the hill in front of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church.Elite male marathoners running the course.Running around Lake Harriet.A beautiful day on the Parkway.Zachary HINE passes Lake Nokomis.Climbing West River Road about to cross the Mississippi River.Dominic ONDORO (Nr. 1) and Elisha BARNO (Nr. 2) cross the Mississippi River over the Franklin Avenue Bridge.Making the climb along east river road near St. Thomas.

The Runners

Who are these people? What drives over 10,000+ people to subject themselves to the grueling punishment of running 26.2 miles?

We may never know, but statistically speaking, we know they come from all 50 states, Washington D.C. and 28 countries around the globe (7 from Sweden in 2016). Teachers make up the largest occupation of any marathoner, perhaps the time off in the summer is good for training? These runners have been training, most for 16 weeks or more, through summer heat, rain, and all sorts of weather. They got up before the sun several days a week, and sacrificed much to get to the starting line.

In 2016, there were 5,049 registered women and 5,820 registered men. 40% of those registered are considered “masters” runners, meaning runners who are 40 or older. The oldest male was 80 and the oldest female was 88. By contrast, the youngest male was 13 and female 14. 27 runners are part of the Charter Club; those who have participated in every single Twin Cities Marathon.

These runners used 48,800 safety pins to attach the race bibs, ate 9,000 bagels, and drank over 11,000 gallons of POWERADE. 5,000 volunteers are needed to make this weekend happen, 333 are involved year-round, and only 23 are paid staff members – well done Twin Cities in Motion!

The Finish

Finishing a marathon is unlike anything else. When you cross that finish line and get your finisher medal draped around your neck (using some of the 6,000 yards of ribbon), it can make you cry.

We should also mention that Dominic Ondoro from Kenya broke the course record, breaking the tape at 2:08:51. This smashed the 1985 record by over 60 seconds. He has also won Grandma’s in Duluth.

On the women’s side, Kenya’s Jane Kibii who narrowly got out-kicked at the 2015 marathon, won in 2016 with a time of 2:30:01.

Nathan started running when he was 14. 20+ years later, he's still going. When he's not running, he enjoys exploring the city with his son, finding new restaurants with his wife, traveling, or backpacking. He loves dark beer, dark chocolate, and dark coffee.Nathan currently lives in Portland, Oregon, but works in Minneapolis and runs wherever he is. Favorite Minnesota running route is anything that takes him along the Mississippi River.
Race Results.Nathan's day job is a Consultant with Leadership Vision in Downtown Minneapolis.

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